Chapter 146
No, I should have come to my senses and suggested going to the reception room. I shouldn’t have responded like that……!
Rationally, I knew this, but it was already too late. If I tried to backtrack now, I’d only reveal my own wavering. I’d better act composed and calm.
Yes, I won’t overthink it. I’ll act as naturally as possible. After all, this is a temporary place, and nothing will happen.
Just like my bedroom had a table and sofa, Reno’s quarters also had a table and sofa. Sitting across from him, I took out papers from the drawer and spoke.
“So how should we sort these?”
“Separating those with accusations and those without would be good.”
After that, only the sounds of unfolding and placing papers could be heard. It was as if the previous awkwardness had disappeared.
Although there were quite a lot, we were focused and finished quickly. Naturally, there were more papers without content than with.
“Thank you for helping.”
“It’s nothing. These are all to be discarded, right? I’ll dispose of them.”
Reno took the blank papers.
As I examined the few papers with content, Reno, who had been observing, asked.
“Can the culprit be identified?”
“A few names came up, but it’ll be difficult to confirm with just this.”
Unexpectedly, there were also accusations unrelated to this incident, ranging from small thefts to group bullying and private harassment within the palace…….
‘I didn’t intend this, but it really became a real complaint box.’
It was similar to the suggestion system used in military units to report motivations or superiors’ irregularities.
Since these were issues that couldn’t be ignored, I sorted them separately. I’ll look into them later. After filtering out only the accusations related to the perjury incident, exactly three names remained.
“It’s fine. This was just to narrow the scope of suspects. The key is to use this as a basis for additional interrogation.”
“Will they confess easily if interrogated?”
“Of course not. Unless the evidence is definitive, it’ll be difficult now. That’s why I’ll use psychology to induce a confession.”
“What psychological method will you use?”
“Wait a moment. I’ll hand over the list first and then explain.”
I stood up and asked Evgenia’s maids and guards to separate the accused maids into individual rooms for interrogation.
I also added that if additional names emerged, they could be confined.
Since I had requested personnel with interrogation experience from Evgenia, they moved quickly. Returning, I continued explaining to Reno.
“All suspects will be locked in solitary rooms. They’ll be informed about the potential punishment, and only the first to confess will be pardoned and protected.”
“Couldn’t that lead to false confessions? Especially with only the first confessor being pardoned?”
“Yes. That’s why I also added a condition that they must be able to prove their own crime. To prevent false confessions.”
It was a principle using the so-called ‘Prisoner’s Dilemma’ zero-sum game. Something that could be a minus for someone and a plus for another.
Of course, due to time constraints, it was closer to a trick than a perfect application.
I had already written all of this when seeking Evgenia’s permission, so the interrogators would handle it accordingly.
“What happens if no one confesses?”
“Unfortunately, we’ll have to dismiss all suspects. But that won’t happen. Someone will confess.”
“Do you have a reason for being so certain?”
“With dishonorable dismissal already confirmed and the possibility of additional punishment, staying silent is useless.”
Originally, the Prisoner’s Dilemma is a game where prisoners win by trusting each other and maintaining silence without confessing. But in my case, it was slightly different, staying silent would still result in a loss.
“Locked in solitary rooms with no opportunity to discuss, and with the pardon limited to the first confessor, they’ll also be psychologically pressured.”
“So that’s why you’re keeping them in solitary rooms.”
“Right. If there’s an opportunist in the Futurum Ducal House, they’ll know confessing for a pardon is advantageous.”
“Indeed, that makes sense.”
Nodding and agreeing, Reno suddenly asked another question.
“Will you really pardon them if they confess?”
“Of course. I’ve given my word.”
“But these are people who tried to harm you…….”
“I said I’d pardon them, but I’m not sure if Her Highness would think the same.”
Reno made an understanding expression and muttered.
“I’m always thinking this, but I’m fortunate to be Your Highness’s guardian.”
Just now, I had thought they seemed somewhat villainous, and it seemed Reno felt similarly.
Unable to find another retort, I just laughed softly.
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